Think About Seating

Even if your plan is to serve cocktail hour-style food all night long, you'll still need one hallmark of a classic reception: seating. "You must provide enough seating for all guests," says Hamilton. "Although you might not want to have all guests seated at tables, there is nothing worse for guests than not finding a seat throughout dinner service and having to stand while eating!" Get creative with your seating areas, incorporating lounge furniture, smaller tables, and nontraditional seating areas to keep the casual feel intact.

Thirds, Anyone?

Figuring out how much food to serve for an informal dinner service is a bit of a guessing game. Instead of one serving of meat, chicken, or fish per guest, you must plan for continual grazing, Hamilton explains. "It's imperative to provide enough food. If your focus is small-plates, make sure that your caterer has allowed for guests to have several servings," the pro adds. Consult your vendors on this one, as your caterer will definitely have a good idea about how much of everything to make based on your unique food combinations and the number of guests.